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Garland Lindwood Joyner Jr.
Incident
Location: North Carolina Weapon: Gun; Unknown type Offender: At large
Detective Garland Joyner was shot and killed in North Carolina while conducting an investigation.
His body was located in Warwick Creek, which borders the Gates County - Chowan County line, suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Although he was initially ruled a suicide, it was reclassified a homicide in 2014 after new evidence emerged indicating he was following leads on an active investigation.
His killer(s) remain unidentified and at large.
Detective Joyner was a U.S. Air Force veteran and had served with the Portsmouth Police Department for 14 years.
Survivors
He is survived by his wife and daughter.
In Our Keeping
- Permanent identifier
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- Maintained by NeuraWeb Global Inc.
- Added to badge.nw
- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Also honored at salute.nw — U.S. Air Force. One record, 2 gates. Garland is one person.
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Tributes
I served 1985 to 1993. You served too, before the badge - different uniform, same idea. You go where you are sent and you do not get to pick the call.
Detective Joyner gave the Portsmouth Police Department 14 years.
Thank you for your service to the Portsmouth community. Thank you for your service before it. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, brother.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
Military Service
Garland Lindwood Joyner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
The Sacrifice · Felonious
Portsmouth Police Department has lost 10 officers; 6 of them killed feloniously.
Garland is one of 393 officers killed feloniously in VA, 60.2% of the 653 remembered there.
Garland is one of 15,743 officers killed feloniously in the United States, 57.1% of the 27,552 remembered there.
Garland is one of 17,623 officers killed feloniously worldwide, 51.7% of the 34,103 remembered here.
34,103 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1984, 1 officer at Portsmouth Police Department was killed feloniously, more than in any other year.
In 1984, 6 officers in VA were killed feloniously, the 10th heaviest of 136 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 10.
In 1984, 91 officers in the United States were killed feloniously, the 62nd heaviest of 213 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 248.
In 1984, 104 officers worldwide were killed feloniously, the 59th heaviest of 265 years on record. The heaviest was 1921, with 516.
Who
Garland was 39. Of the 4 killed feloniously at Portsmouth Police Department whose age is recorded, half were between 25 and 39.8; the middle age was 32.5. Garland had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 9 years.
Garland was 39. Of the 364 killed feloniously in VA whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48; the middle age was 38. Garland had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Garland was 39. Of the 14,219 killed feloniously in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 31 and 47; the middle age was 38. Garland had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
Garland was 39. Of the 15,853 killed feloniously worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 46; the middle age was 38. Garland had served 14 years; the middle length of service was 6 years.
When
March holds 16.7% of these deaths at Portsmouth Police Department; November holds the most, 16.7%. Sundays: 16.7%.
March holds 9.4% of these deaths in VA; December holds the most, 10.4%. Sundays: 18.6%.
March holds 7.5% of these deaths in the United States; December holds the most, 9.4%. Sundays: 15.2%.
March holds 7.8% of these deaths worldwide; December holds the most, 9.2%. Sundays: 15.2%.
How
Felonious deaths account for 60% of all 10 deaths at Portsmouth Police Department, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 16.7% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 60.2% of all 653 deaths in VA, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 10.9% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 57.1% of all 27,552 deaths in the United States, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 9.5% of these deaths.
Felonious deaths account for 51.7% of all 34,103 deaths worldwide, the most common cause. The weapon recorded was gun; unknown type, in 8.5% of these deaths.
His people
Portsmouth Police Department has 10 officers remembered here, Garland among them.
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John Wilson Nov 11, 1871
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William S. Winningder
Aug 11, 1908
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Elridge Rochelle Story
Nov 30, 1936
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John J. Nobrega
Jan 29, 1958
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David W. Carpenter
Feb 7, 1967
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Earl Phillips Wilkins
Apr 9, 1968
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William Harvey Austin
Jun 18, 1969
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Joseph Martin Weth Jr.
May 28, 1982
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Garland Lindwood Joyner, Jr.
Mar 18, 1984
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Richard Lee Spaulding
Nov 23, 2005
Where
Military Service
Garland Lindwood Joyner Jr. served in the U.S. Air Force before joining law enforcement.
Visit Garland Lindwood Joyner Jr.’s page on salute.nw →
His full service record — units, decorations, where he served — is kept on salute.nw.
Where the Name Is Cut
What is kept
Photographs, film, sound and papers — what survived a life.
Also Remembered
Others Who Wore This Badge
9 officers from Portsmouth Police Department are honored on badge.nw.
